Shute Shield club hit with breach notice over alleged racial abuse

“Sydney Rugby Union were made aware of allegations of racial abuse following the Easts v Wests trial match at Woollahra Oval, and started investigations immediately, in gathering reports and statements from West Harbour players and officials, referees and independent third parties,” SRU general manager Peter Watkins said.

“Sydney Rugby Union certainly take all allegations of racial vilification seriously. Sydney Rugby informed both clubs we are investigating … and we have briefed Easts and Wests throughout and checked on the welfare of the players involved.

“We officially sent a breach notice to Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club and raised it with the SRU board last night. We have given Easts the opportunity to formally respond to Sydney Rugby Union.”

The notice issued to Easts alleged there had been breaches of five sections of the Rugby Australia Code of Conduct, which establishes the “standards of behaviour” that cover all rugby “participants” in Australia, including spectators.

The notice alleges there were breaches of the expectation of all participants to not engage in behaviour that is “sexist, racist or homophobic/transphobic” or “intimidating, threatening or aggressive” and to not “behave in a manner that constitutes physical, emotional, racial, religious or sexual harassment”.

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The notice also includes alleged breaches of the expectation on participants including spectators to “not commit any acts of violence or intimidation within the venue in which the Match is being played including (without limitation) the tunnel, changing rooms and/or warm-up areas.”

Under the Rugby Australia Code of Conduct disputes process, an official denial of the breaches from Easts will see the SRU convene an independent Code of Conduct committee, to conduct a hearing and determine sanctions, if required.

If the alleged breaches are proven, Easts could face sanctions as a club, ranging from reprimands and fines through to penalties such as the loss of competition points.